Jasmine Ariti > Recent Status Updates

Beyond relieved to start seeing mainstream feminist literature calling out the utterly disgusting and insidious porn culture I grew up in.

Up until a few years ago, it was assumed you were either a total prude or a religious nut if you were against porn.

From the section on propaganda: "Indeed, it is easier for the frustrated to detect their own imaginings and hear the echo of their own musings in impassioned double-talk and sonorous refrains than in precise words joined together with faultless logic."

What I've read so far is brilliant and mind-expanding, and less about "Democracy in America" than how the human mind works, and how certain conditions on the human mind have particular consequences. Even if de Tocqueville were off on some particulars, the way he reasons would be educational.

(Based on research, I bought this translation in particular, and am starting with Volume II.)

Today I completed Day 28 of Rose Rosetree's Empath Empowerment in 30 Days. This is the pivotal chapter, where you learn your first technique for Skilled Empath Merge; the technique is called Magic Picture. I chose Senator Amy Klobuchar for my Skilled Empath Merge. It was incredible, beautiful!! Senator Klobuchar is an Age of Awakening Enlightenment, which helps. :)

Day 27 of Empath Empowerment in 30 Days by Rose Rosetree. I learned the Room of Requirement technique, which was so powerful and helpful I cried.

Listening to this one. Read by my favorite audiobook narrator, Grover Gardner!!

Recently reread the chapter on greed from Empath Empowerment in 30 Days. Soooo interesting and helpful.

Written in 1951 and very much applies to today. Insights on almost every page.

The introduction, when he describes his theory of "future shock" in more general terms, is brilliant. In subsequent chapters, as he gets into more specifics, it's still very good.... but you are reading predictions about the future made in 1970, so some kinda miss the mark.

Also the sexism in the book makes it clear we've come some way in 54 years. The only bit of his theory that applies to women is Barbie dolls?

Enjoying this book overall. It gives an easy-to-read overview of what was happening in the White House in 2019-2020.

But I do agree somewhat with this critique of Woodward that I read today:
"He does recite his sources’ version of events with excessive deference;... he narrates scenes without pausing to situate them in context." - Franklin Foer, The Atlantic

I've gotten to the controversial part, Ayaan's views of Islam after 9/11.

On page 42: "The deputy district attorney..."

Reading the introduction chapter. It's very eye-opening.

I'm cringing, though, because I just looked up Michelle Alexander, and I find her more recent politics - like undermining Hillary Clinton's candidacy in 2016 and hating on the Democratic Party - pretty abominable. TBD on this one.

Learning a lot, including just from having recent-ish (2017) events replayed and rewired into my long-term memory. There's also a ton that's new to me.

Woodward "sanewashes" a bit, rewording what trump said to make it more sensical. I don't blame him, since he was writing in 2017 - journalism has evolved since then, while trump has devolved into an even bigger pile of malignant nonsense.

I've just started reading the new edition. I'm amazed at how new it is - almost like a different book. I am love, love, loving it. It's very inspiring.

This book is blowing my mind. Brilliance!

I did a cursory glance at some of the reviews, which really isn't a great thing to do when you just want to develop your own opinion of a book.

Granted, I've only read the first 21 pages. But I can't believe the extent to which people are missing the f**king point. The most popular review is by a man who admits HE DIDN'T ACTUALLY READ IT. Thoughtlessness on parade.

Funny!!! Of the Jeeves and Wooster books I've read so far, this one seems quintessential, if quintessential is the word I want! :)

I didn't like the title of this book at first, but after reading the first few chapters, I find it apt. Heather Cox Richardson really is awakening within me what democracy in the US means - can mean.

Her unique way of connecting the dots of history weaves a whole new understanding for me. Structurally, seemingly effortlessly, deceptively simply! She reframes what it is to be an American.

After reading the first two chapters, I understand clearly why this book was acclaimed.

Hirsi Ali brings you into her world. I feel life in Somalia, as she lived it, is opened up to me.

Generous and bold, she describes her current relationship with her family as "fractured." ...

So good!